Paros

Paros (Greek: Πάρος) is a Greek island in the central Aegean Sea. One of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the west of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel about 8 kilometres (5 miles) wide. It lies approximately 150 km (93 miles) south-east of Piraeus. Historically, Paros was known for its fine white marble, which gave rise to the term "Parian" to describe marble or china of similar qualities. Today, abandoned marble quarries and mines can be found on the island, but Paros is primarily known as a popular tourist spot. To the west of Paros lies its smaller sister island Antiparos. At its narrowest, the channel between the two islands is less than 2 km (1 mi) wide. A car-carrying shuttle-ferry operates all day (to and from Pounda, 5 km (3 mi) south of Parikia). The island's capital, Paroikia, is located on the western coast. The second largest settlement, Naoussa, is a cosmopolitan fishing village and one of the prettiest fishing harbors in the Aegean. Other important settlements are Lefkes, Marmara, Prodromos, Kostos, Marpissa, Piso Livadi, Dryos, Aggairia, and Alyki.